Ably organized by editor Stephanie Egnotovich from Coffin’s sermons and unpublished speeches, the entries teach, woo, nudge, intrigue, prod, startle. They argue against narrowness in all its temptations and argue for social justice and economic rights, civil liberties, peace, patriotism, the church. In the foreword, writer James Carroll describes a first hearing of a Coffin sermon: “There was the trademark pithiness, the rhetorical sophistication, the erudite citations, and, above all, the Scripture as a native language. But what really stunned you … was the unbridled passion with which Coffin announced his gospel” (p. xi). Credo, the book, can also be a first hearing, prompting us to explore the ideas, language and passion of the several other books by and about Coffin.
Instigated by Westminster John Knox publisher Davis Perkins, Credo comes from Coffin’s pulpits at Yale University, Riverside Church, Boston Common and SANE/FREEZE, but tells of a heart — two hearts — which beat large for all of us. Read it slowly; accept its invitation to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with God. Credo.
Posted June 4, 2004
